Power Plant Grants 2026: $12,000 for Indiana Digital and Media Artists, Deadline 20 November
Five $12,000 grants for work the public can encounter
Power Plant Grants, administered by Big Car Collaborative and funded by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, have opened their 2026 round. The programme awards five artist-led projects a fixed $12,000 each, distributing $60,000 altogether. It is intended to help visual and multidisciplinary artists test meaningful new ideas in public-facing work rather than simply fund an existing commercial exhibition. Media art, film, video, photography, digital work, sound combined with a strong visual component, and interdisciplinary projects can be eligible.
Major 2026 change: residency anywhere in Indiana
Eligibility has expanded beyond the Indianapolis-only rules of earlier rounds. For 2026, the lead artist must live anywhere in the state of Indiana; working in Indiana while living elsewhere does not qualify. Artists must be at least 21 years old on the deadline and cannot be full-time students. Teams, partnerships and unincorporated collectives can apply with an Indiana-based lead, even when other collaborators live outside the state. Incorporated organisations already holding US 501(c)(3) nonprofit status cannot apply as award recipients. This rule is a particularly important distinction from many institutional arts grants.
Suitable projects and excluded uses
The organisers encourage visual projects that take creative risks and reach a clearly identified audience. A digital installation, interactive video project, hybrid public artwork or related visual media practice may fit if it demonstrates innovation, credible community engagement and public access. Music, theatre or literary work by themselves do not qualify, although they may form part of an eligible visual-led project. The grants do not primarily fund equipment purchases, studio rent, conventional private studio practice, routine gallery exhibitions or projects devised and controlled by a developer or nonprofit rather than the artists themselves.
Application deadline and published 2026 schedule
Submissions must be completed through the official Power Plant Grants application on Submittable by Friday 20 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. US Eastern Time. The organiser lists an online information session on 21 October, a further session on 28 October and a final in-person information session on 12 November. Finalist interviews are scheduled for 9 December, applicants are to be notified by 15 December and a public announcement of winners is planned for 18 December. All dates and online links should be checked at the organiser's website before submitting.
Budget, work samples and artist fees
The $12,000 grant amount is fixed; applicants cannot request a smaller or larger figure. Explain the proposed work, why it represents genuine artistic risk and how the award will cover realistic costs including fair compensation for collaborating artists. Media artists should test all work-sample links and formats. The FAQ says panel members review the first three minutes of time-based samples, so provide a focused and relevant excerpt. The award is taxable; applicants should consider the financial consequences in their budget. A work produced with the grant must have its public outcome in Indiana.
Organiser, independent jury and prior programme
Big Car Collaborative is an Indianapolis-based arts organisation working across community art and cultural programmes. Power Plant is part of the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts' Regional Regranting Program and uses an independent panel of art professionals to assess applications. The organisation publishes application guidance, previous programme context, contacts and the funding partnership on its official website. This editorial summary is independent of the organisers, and Aion Laboratory does not collect grant applications.
Official guidelines and application
This article provides a summary. To avoid misunderstandings, please be sure to check the official page for full details.
Information checked: 19 October 2026.
Other opportunities and publication
Aion Digital Art Award is an independent competition organised by Aion Laboratory and is not associated with the organiser or the selection for this call.